- No computers, smartphones, or the internet.
- Communication was mainly through letters, telegrams, and the earliest forms of telephone.
- Transportation primarily relied on horse-drawn carriages, early steam-powered trains, and sailing ships.
2. Society and Culture:
- Women's rights movements were gaining momentum.
- The Industrial Revolution was bringing significant technological advancements and urbanization.
- The middle class grew, leading to increased consumerism.
- Victorian morality shaped social norms and values.
3. Urban Life:
- Crowded cities with poor sanitation, leading to health risks like cholera outbreaks.
- High levels of poverty and inequality, with slums next to affluent neighborhoods.
- Gas lamps provided street lighting, and indoor lighting relied on candles or kerosene lamps.
4. Rural Life:
- Most people lived in rural areas, relying on agriculture for their livelihood.
- Harsh living conditions, with manual labor and limited amenities.
- Small towns formed centers of local communities and trade.
5. Politics:
- The American Civil War had recently ended in 1865, and the Reconstruction era was underway in the United States.
- European countries dealt with political struggles, the rise of nationalism, and the unification of Italy.
6. Science and Medicine:
- Basic sanitation principles were gradually understood, improving public health.
- Scientific discoveries like evolution (Darwin's theory) were transforming society's understanding of the natural world.
- Medical advancements were limited, and anesthesia was in its early stages.
7. Communication and Media:
- Newspapers were the main source of news and information.
- Photography was becoming more accessible, leading to the development of photojournalism.
8. International Relations:
- Imperialism was prevalent, and European powers were actively colonizing Africa, Asia, and other parts of the world.
- Diplomatic tensions simmered between nations, sometimes leading to conflicts and wars.
9. Daily Life:
- Clothing styles were influenced by Victorian ideals, with elaborate dresses and hats for women and formal suits for men.
- Recreation included picnics, theater, concerts, and parlor games.
- Families often held religious services at home or attended church.
Life in 1867 was a time of significant transformations, with industrialization, urbanization, and social change reshaping society. Despite the limitations and challenges of that time, it laid the foundation for the many advancements that would come in the years ahead.